Wild Turkey (Modern Animal) ---> California Turkey (Meleagris Californica- formerly known as Parapavo Californicus)
The California Turkey (Meleagris Californica) was previously known as the Parapavo Californicus and has become an extinct species in the South-west of North America approximately 10000 years ago during the Late Pleistocene. The California Turkey have evolved from the Peafowl (Pavo) when its ancestors were crossing the continents back in when Alaska was still connected to the continent known as Eurasia, which is why it was once thought to be in the genus Pavo/Parapavo.
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Aves
Order
Galliformes
Family
Meleagrididae
Genus
Meleagris
Species
Californica
California Turkey http://www.jesseshunting.com/images/turkey-Meliagris-californica.jpg
Habitat
This is a reason why the The Meleagris Californica has been a common species that could be found in several places within California. However most of the fossil of this species were found in the southern part of it. A large amount of bones up to 11000 were found in Rancho La Brea (a place in Los Angeles). The bones found belonging to the Meleagris Californica did not only consist of adults but also very young birds. The bones left behind belonged to approximately 700 individuals. As the bones have been discovered in this area and focused mainly within the southern part of California (Santa Barabara, Los Angeles etc) scientists have assumed that the Meleagris Californica have built their habitats there.
The Meleagris Californica habitats have been loss after the ice age and scientists have found that one of the reasons the species went extinct is due to the climate changes where their habitats have been built. The loss of vegetation was the result from a decrease in precipitation, creating a difficulty for the California Turkey as they require vegetation to nest.
Habitat Area Labelled by Jane Yip http://www.kalkoen.nl/cgi-bin/historie/journal.cgi?folder=historie&next=3
Although the California Turkey bones were found in many places in California, it is shown that the Meleagris Californica is native to only that concentrated area of North America.
Map Location of the California Turkey and its modern descendant the Wild Turkey http://creagrus.home.montereybay.com/turkey-in-CA.html
The California Turkey's habitats have been in the same continent as the Wild Turkey and both species have significant similarities between each other that create their connection by their genus Meleagris. On the map above, it is seen that the California Turkey could only be found in an area over 70 times more condensed compared to the the modern species the Wild Turkey. The location of the California Turkey's habitat was next to the Pacific Ocean instead of the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. Because of the small area there have been no subspecies of the Meleagris Californica discovered with only one main species different to the modern descendant.
Evident in the images, the California Turkey lived in an area that was rich in vegetation. The species, like other bird species, made their own nests. Their young were bred, nested and also hatched in the nests made by their parents. The habitats of the Meleagris Californica though rich in vegetation also consist of flat vegetation-less land that allowed them to run and take flight when necessary. Due to the contrast between the colour of the animal itself and the habitat, it is easily found and also preyed. It is predicted that the California Turkey was the prey of various carnivorous animals that also inhabit in California.
During the Ice Age when the Meleagris Californica became extinct, deserts arose as boundaries between the Meleagris Californica and the Meleagris Gallopavo (Wild Turkey) which prevented the modern species from reestablishing in their native area. As such, both species have established in quite different places and although they carry similar features, the animal have been divided into two species originally one.
Adaptations Behavioural Adaptation 1 The Meleagris Californica bred in Spring and their young would have been bred, hatched and raised in the nests that they created in the area Rancho La Brea. Very similar to its modern descendant, its breeding date is around March till June and where those eggs are laid around April till July.
The nests created by the California Turkey are made up of scraps that are mostly from vegetation. Around 10-13 eggs are laid every clutch and only one egg per day. Laying an egg a day prevents all eggs being destroyed by its predators such as the ancestors of Wolves, Coyotes, Snakes and Foxes.
The Environmental Pressure that could have given rise to the adaptation mentioned could be the change of climate as when the temperature dropped and more rain fell in their habitats it was more suitable for the California Turkey to breed during Spring which gives them enough precipitation to survive.
Behavioural Adaptation 2
The California Turkey could be considered a Herbivore as Scientists have found that the animal's main diet is fruits, nuts and seeds. Fruits, nuts and seeds were easier to be found during the time when the animal were still alive as the climate change would have made some species go extinct and thus creating a shift in the food chain. Being a Herbivore this shift in food chain would be a less concern as fruits, nuts and seeds could still be found when there is a change in climate, especially dry nuts and seeds with hard nut shells.
The Environmental Pressure that could have given a rise to this Behavioural Adaptation is likely the fact that there are not enough food that could be discovered during the period before the last ice age. Plants had a slightly larger chance in survival and also were greater in amounts that could feed the entire species.
Structural Adaptation 1
The Meleagris Californica had a wider beak compared to its modern descendant. Its beak was also shorter compared to the Meleagris Gallopavo. The California Turkey uses its beak to break open hard shelled food such as nuts to feed on. The back part of the beak which links to its nostrils is also smaller compared to the Wild Turkey. Its beak helps the species by making it easier for it to be able to break the outer core of its food and thus allowing it to consume more easily and for the California Turkey to survive.
The Environmental Pressure that could have given rise to the adaptation mentioned might be the amount of food that is available back when the world was going into the first ice age and the need to be able to break open the shells of food that other animals would not consume as their main diet so that they can gain enough for their own species.
Structural Adaptation 2
Location of bones that join to wings Labelled by Jane Yip http://creagrus.home.montereybay.com/turkey-in-CA.html
The California Turkey had a pair of strong large wings that allowed it to take flight. The colour of these wings was predicted to be red and green with the edges framed with black and white. As the California Turkey was smaller in size compared to its modern descendant, it was able to fly more easily as well. Being able to take flight allowed the California Turkey not only a greater chance to escape from its predators but also be able to search for its own food with less difficulty in order to survive.
The Environmental Pressure that could have given rise to the adaptation from its ancestors would be due to the large amounts of hunting of the Meleagris Californica and the need to survive in North America which not only other animals were preying on them but the climate was also not benefitting to the species. The ability to fly would allow the California Turkey to escape and hide in places that have a climate more suitable for them to survive in. Physiological Adaptation
The Meleagris Californica had a strong circulatory system. Its heart is more efficient as they have higher metabollic rates and require larger hearts for flying. The Meleagris Californica had larger hearts than other bird species but similar to its modern animal. As the animal takes flight it requires a heart that functions more effectively in air because there are stronger forces of air as they leave the ground and rise. The larger four chambered hearts also allows the animal to run and escape with more ease if they are preyed on.
The Environmental Pressure that could have given rise to the larger heart in the Meleagris Californica would be because of the air quality during the strong climate change 10000 years ago.
Extinction Pressure Slightly mentioned above, the largest extinction pressure was the environment and climate changes in the Meleagris Californica's habitats. The California Turkey lived in habitats that were rich in vegetation to aid in their necessities, but the decrease in precipitation has prevented them from being able to attain their requirements. This decrease not only created a decline to the material they could use to make nests but also the food that they can find. Moreover, the temperature dropping tremendously during the arrival of the ice age was unsuitable for the California Turkey which were selected and fitted to an area that is not too cold but rather more warm.
California Turkey (Meleagris Californica- formerly known as Parapavo Californicus)
The California Turkey (Meleagris Californica) was previously known as the Parapavo Californicus and has become an extinct species in the South-west of North America approximately 10000 years ago during the Late Pleistocene. The California Turkey have evolved from the Peafowl (Pavo) when its ancestors were crossing the continents back in when Alaska was still connected to the continent known as Eurasia, which is why it was once thought to be in the genus Pavo/Parapavo.
This is a reason why the The Meleagris Californica has been a common species that could be found in several places within California. However most of the fossil of this species were found in the southern part of it. A large amount of bones up to 11000 were found in Rancho La Brea (a place in Los Angeles). The bones found belonging to the Meleagris Californica did not only consist of adults but also very young birds. The bones left behind belonged to approximately 700 individuals. As the bones have been discovered in this area and focused mainly within the southern part of California (Santa Barabara, Los Angeles etc) scientists have assumed that the Meleagris Californica have built their habitats there.
The Meleagris Californica habitats have been loss after the ice age and scientists have found that one of the reasons the species went extinct is due to the climate changes where their habitats have been built. The loss of vegetation was the result from a decrease in precipitation, creating a difficulty for the California Turkey as they require vegetation to nest.
Although the California Turkey bones were found in many places in California, it is shown that the Meleagris Californica is native to only that concentrated area of North America.
The California Turkey's habitats have been in the same continent as the Wild Turkey and both species have significant similarities between each other that create their connection by their genus Meleagris. On the map above, it is seen that the California Turkey could only be found in an area over 70 times more condensed compared to the the modern species the Wild Turkey. The location of the California Turkey's habitat was next to the Pacific Ocean instead of the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. Because of the small area there have been no subspecies of the Meleagris Californica discovered with only one main species different to the modern descendant.
Evident in the images, the California Turkey lived in an area that was rich in vegetation. The species, like other bird species, made their own nests. Their young were bred, nested and also hatched in the nests made by their parents. The habitats of the Meleagris Californica though rich in vegetation also consist of flat vegetation-less land that allowed them to run and take flight when necessary. Due to the contrast between the colour of the animal itself and the habitat, it is easily found and also preyed. It is predicted that the California Turkey was the prey of various carnivorous animals that also inhabit in California.
During the Ice Age when the Meleagris Californica became extinct, deserts arose as boundaries between the Meleagris Californica and the Meleagris Gallopavo (Wild Turkey) which prevented the modern species from reestablishing in their native area. As such, both species have established in quite different places and although they carry similar features, the animal have been divided into two species originally one.
Adaptations
Behavioural Adaptation 1
The Meleagris Californica bred in Spring and their young would have been bred, hatched and raised in the nests that they created in the area Rancho La Brea. Very similar to its modern descendant, its breeding date is around March till June and where those eggs are laid around April till July.
The nests created by the California Turkey are made up of scraps that are mostly from vegetation. Around 10-13 eggs are laid every clutch and only one egg per day. Laying an egg a day prevents all eggs being destroyed by its predators such as the ancestors of Wolves, Coyotes, Snakes and Foxes.
The Environmental Pressure that could have given rise to the adaptation mentioned could be the change of climate as when the temperature dropped and more rain fell in their habitats it was more suitable for the California Turkey to breed during Spring which gives them enough precipitation to survive.
Behavioural Adaptation 2
The California Turkey could be considered a Herbivore as Scientists have found that the animal's main diet is fruits, nuts and seeds. Fruits, nuts and seeds were easier to be found during the time when the animal were still alive as the climate change would have made some species go extinct and thus creating a shift in the food chain. Being a Herbivore this shift in food chain would be a less concern as fruits, nuts and seeds could still be found when there is a change in climate, especially dry nuts and seeds with hard nut shells.
The Environmental Pressure that could have given a rise to this Behavioural Adaptation is likely the fact that there are not enough food that could be discovered during the period before the last ice age. Plants had a slightly larger chance in survival and also were greater in amounts that could feed the entire species.
Structural Adaptation 1
The Meleagris Californica had a wider beak compared to its modern descendant. Its beak was also shorter compared to the Meleagris Gallopavo. The California Turkey uses its beak to break open hard shelled food such as nuts to feed on. The back part of the beak which links to its nostrils is also smaller compared to the Wild Turkey. Its beak helps the species by making it easier for it to be able to break the outer core of its food and thus allowing it to consume more easily and for the California Turkey to survive.
The Environmental Pressure that could have given rise to the adaptation mentioned might be the amount of food that is available back when the world was going into the first ice age and the need to be able to break open the shells of food that other animals would not consume as their main diet so that they can gain enough for their own species.
Structural Adaptation 2
The California Turkey had a pair of strong large wings that allowed it to take flight. The colour of these wings was predicted to be red and green with the edges framed with black and white. As the California Turkey was smaller in size compared to its modern descendant, it was able to fly more easily as well. Being able to take flight allowed the California Turkey not only a greater chance to escape from its predators but also be able to search for its own food with less difficulty in order to survive.
The Environmental Pressure that could have given rise to the adaptation from its ancestors would be due to the large amounts of hunting of the Meleagris Californica and the need to survive in North America which not only other animals were preying on them but the climate was also not benefitting to the species. The ability to fly would allow the California Turkey to escape and hide in places that have a climate more suitable for them to survive in.
Physiological Adaptation
The Meleagris Californica had a strong circulatory system. Its heart is more efficient as they have higher metabollic rates and require larger hearts for flying. The Meleagris Californica had larger hearts than other bird species but similar to its modern animal. As the animal takes flight it requires a heart that functions more effectively in air because there are stronger forces of air as they leave the ground and rise. The larger four chambered hearts also allows the animal to run and escape with more ease if they are preyed on.
The Environmental Pressure that could have given rise to the larger heart in the Meleagris Californica would be because of the air quality during the strong climate change 10000 years ago.
Extinction Pressure
Slightly mentioned above, the largest extinction pressure was the environment and climate changes in the Meleagris Californica's habitats. The California Turkey lived in habitats that were rich in vegetation to aid in their necessities, but the decrease in precipitation has prevented them from being able to attain their requirements. This decrease not only created a decline to the material they could use to make nests but also the food that they can find. Moreover, the temperature dropping tremendously during the arrival of the ice age was unsuitable for the California Turkey which were selected and fitted to an area that is not too cold but rather more warm.
Bibliography
California Department of Fish and Game. (2010). Turkey Guide. Retrieved July 27, 2010, from http://www.dfg.ca.gov/publications/docs/turkeyguide.pdf
Jesse's Hunting & Outdoors L.L.C. (2010). California Turkey Hunting. Retrieved July 27, 2010, from http://www.jesseshunting.com/site/calturkey.html
Jung, J. (2003). Wild Turkey- A Short Social History WHTC. Retrieved July 27, 2010, from http://www.naturealmanac.com/archive/wild_turkey/wild_turkey.html
Roberson, D. (2001).Wild Turkey a Calif native. Retrieved July 27, 2010, from http://creagrus.home.montereybay.com/turkey-in-CA.html
Wikipedia. (2010). Turkey (bird). Retrieved July 27, 2010, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkey_(bird)
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